Sweden, while a country that was once home to the Vikings and which had a significant military history under the Vasa kings, has remained technically neutral in European and world affairs since before the Great War. On Thursday, that neutrality officially ended, as Sweden’s membership in NATO has been formally approved.
Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality as concerns about Russian aggression in Europe have spiked following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Secretary of State Antony Blinken presided at a ceremony in which Sweden’s “instrument of accession” to the alliance was officially deposited at the State Department.
“This is a historic moment for Sweden. It’s historic for the alliance. It’s history for the…
